Synonym Chooser

How is the word renounce distinct from other similar verbs?

The words abdicate and resign are common synonyms of renounce. While all three words mean "to give up a position with no possibility of resuming it," renounce may replace it but often implies additionally a sacrifice for a greater end.

renounced her inheritance by marrying a commoner

When could abdicate be used to replace renounce?

Although the words abdicate and renounce have much in common, abdicate implies a giving up of sovereign power or sometimes an evading of responsibility such as that of a parent.

abdicated the throne

When is it sensible to use resign instead of renounce?

While in some cases nearly identical to renounce, resign applies to the giving up of an unexpired office or trust.

resigned from the board

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of renounce China has long refused to renounce the use of force against Taiwan, sending aircraft and warships near the island daily. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024 Clinton agreed to grant the FALN members clemency in exchange for them renouncing violence. Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 2 Dec. 2024 Despite his notoriety, Ver decided in 2014 to renounce his US citizenship, later becoming a citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis. Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024 Over the past two years, several prominent Russian billionaires have renounced their citizenship and exited the country’s economic landscape. Daniel Markind, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for renounce 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for renounce
Verb
  • Textor would choose to relinquish his position on the Palace board in the event that Sportsbank’s investment in Eagle is completed.
    Matt Woosnam, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
  • Angela later relinquished the creative director title.
    Clare Fisher, People.com, 2 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The polling data follows the Biden administration in December withdrawing a proposal to prohibit public school districts from implementing blanket bans on transgender athletes competing based on gender identity.
    Kristina Watrobski, Baltimore Sun, 7 Jan. 2025
  • Multiple tight ends are key in this offense, and Danny Lewis withdrawing from the portal was an underrated development.
    Kennington Smith III, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • During Trump’s first term, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke resigned from his post in the face of at least six investigations into ethical misconduct allegations and other possible violations.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Most Popular Most Popular Gov. Wes Moore pushing new vehicle fees, increases to reverse some transportation cuts Acting head of troubled Maryland psychiatric hospital resigns following facility evaluation Gov. Wes Moore is about to pitch tax cuts and increases for the first time.
    Candy Woodall, Baltimore Sun, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The new design looks to better separate the rear slide-out hardware from the side slide-outs, which retract below the central vehicle roof.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 Jan. 2025
  • In recent months, however, this ambitious agenda was retracted somewhat as economic headwinds appeared.
    Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • This decision not only undermines the reproductive rights of American women but also sets a perilous precedent for the court’s willingness to abdicate its own power.
    Steven Delco, Hartford Courant, 1 Jan. 2025
  • The intervention in Syria also allowed Russia to assume the role of protector of Christians in the Middle East—a role that, in Putin’s view, decadent Western powers had abdicated, and a mission that fit neatly with Putin’s desire to present Russia as Europe’s last bastion of Christian values.
    Alexander Baunov, Foreign Affairs, 26 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Is there some way that the Giants and Jets can get clipped for congestion pricing over on Route 3? People who still deny that climate change is real also believe that pigs can fly.
    Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 11 Jan. 2025
  • Fewer claims translate to lower premiums and reduce the risk that your policy will be canceled or denied for renewal.
    Ryan Barone, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near renounce

Cite this Entry

“Renounce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/renounce. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on renounce

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